Yesterday, four of us enjoyed a nice tour of primarily Lincoln County looking for shorebirds and other birds related to the sagebrush community. Of course, we visited some other habitat types as well and briefly visited Adams and Whitman counties too. Weather was tough with a steady wind and intermittent showers.

We started the day off at Reardan's Audubon Lakes where the water was full of waterfowl. We tallied 15 species of ducks and geese here. A few EARED GREBES in their spectacular breeding plumage were around as well. Shorebirds seen here included KILLDEER, BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. AMERICAN PIPITS were heard and seen here also.

Our next major stop was at the Davenport Cemetery, where the wind had concentrated most of the birds in the northeast corner. GOLDEN-CROWNED AND RUBY-CROWNED KINGLITS were in lesser numbers than last weekend. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were present and moving around the trees. A small flock of RED CROSSBILLS were working the cones. A WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH also was found. The wind really made it tough here.

Taking shelter from the wind for a couple hours, we dropped down into Mill Canyon. Entering the canyon via Green Canyon Road, we didn't make it far down the hill when a stop yielded a singing ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a skulking STELLER'S JAY. CHIPPING SPARROWS were present in good numbers all along the canyon. A lone TURKEY VULTURE cruised one of the upper ridges while we descended towards the mouth of the creek. GRAY FLYCATCHER, DUSKY FLYCATCHER, and NASHVILLE WARBLER provided great looks and some first of the year sightings for us. Along the shore of the delta, we spotted a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL plus two LESSER YELLOWLEGS, KILLDEER, and several AMERICAN PIPTS. CASSIN FINCHES were singing at about every stop we made.

Old Kuck's Road still had a good assortment of shorebirds on the west end. These included GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, about 40 DUNLIN, and two LEAST SANDPIPERS. Traveling west from here via Rocklyn Road and then on Knack Road into the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, we were surprised to catch some sage birds including SAGE THRASHER, BREWER'S SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, 2 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, and a lone GRAY PARTRIDGE.

>From Whitaker Lake Road to the actual Swanson Lakes, were spotted one SWAINSON'S HAWK and a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE that appeared to be carrying a small snake in its bill.

Swanson Lakes (viewed from the WDFW headquarters road) produced our best bird of the day. 2 AMERICAN AVOCETS, 2 BLACK-NECKED STILTS, KILLDEER, and a LEAST SANDPIPER were present. The birds shifted around a bit and a medium-sized sandpiper came into view. Providing nice size comparisons as it foraged next to the Killdeer and Least, a single BAIRD'S SANDPIPER made our day. The short stubby bill, longer wing tips, medium size, and black legs made this ID a sure thing. Finding a Baird's in Spring is a great thing!

We then headed towards Sprague with a quick stop at Cormana Lake. We only managed to spot two very well camouflaged LEAST SANDPIPERS here along with RUDDY DUCKS and LESSER SCAUP. Sprague Lake was very windy and we didn't spend much time here. The goose flock was gone, but we did note a couple pairs of CANADA GEESE with goslings already. On the Adams County side, a pair of OSPREY were near their nest platform and a GREAT-HORNED OWL was roosting in a tree along the lake. AMERICAN PIPITS were everywhere!

The Sprague STP was disappointing because the eastern pond that usually has mud was full of water. First time I have seen that pond with the whole thing full. Only ducks were seen here with a few Killdeer.

Sweeping south from Sprague, we stopped at Sheep Lake in Whitman County and managed to find one AMERICAN AVOCET. Crooked Knee Lake had a good assortment of waterfowl, but was not showing any mud for shorebirds.

Our last stop was at Rock Lake, where CLIFF SWALLOWS and BARN SWALLOWS were working the late evening bugs that were out. 3 pairs of CINNAMON TEAL were here plus a couple COMMON MERGANSERS.

105 total species for day. Thank you to everyone that joined me on this trip! It was great fun!

Tim O'Brien
Cheney, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo dot com